'I play with no fear' - Tottenham's Andros Townsend facing battle on two fronts

Andros Townsend believes his battle to retain a place in Tottenham’s team is helping his chances of being in the England squad.

Townsend has started seven matches for Spurs this season, despite the club spending £109million on players in the summer, and he impressed again in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

England coach Roy Hodgson, who names his squad to face Montenegro and Poland on Thursday, was at White Hart Lane and saw the winger give left-back Ashley Cole a tough afternoon. Townsend, 22, was selected by England for the first time last month and hopes he has done enough to keep Hodgson’s backing.

When asked about his relationship with the England manager, Townsend said: “He said he had been watching me not only this season but the last six months when I was at QPR. He told me to continue what I am doing and I will get in the squad, so that is what I am trying to do.

“I have a tough enough battle trying to stay in this [Spurs] team. I just have to focus on Tottenham and hopefully the other rewards will come if I am still playing well. I play my game with no fear, whether it’s against Ashley Cole or whoever.”

Townsend, who admits he has learned his lesson not to dive after being booked by referee Mike Dean at the weekend, is also positive that Spurs are good enough to maintain a title challenge.

He added: “We are a match for anyone on our day. We have good squad depth, so we will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. The lads are disappointed we didn’t get the three points we deserved against Chelsea.”